Arizona Cardinals Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

It doesn't matter who the new GM and HC are come draft time: getting Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3 is a steal. He'll immediately upgrade a defense that just lost future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt to retirement.

The offensive and defensive lines are both very problematic, but with JJ Watt retiring and Zach Allen facing free agency, the Cardinals will need to replenish the pass rush immediately. Carter, arguably the most talented player on a historically-great Bulldogs defense that saw five prospects selected in the first round last year, is a scheme-wrecker and can attack an offense from any position on the defensive line.

It is unfair for someone Carter's size (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) to move as swiftly and forcefully past other humans like they were weighted blocking bags. Carter is extremely athletic, having performed as a lead blocker in goal line situations and scored a touchdown as an eligible receiver. His intimidating style and volatile approach to disrupting plays is next-level, must see TV.

The Cardinals just need to pick who the Bears don't pick. They could use Anderson or Carter, but Carter falls into their laps here. He's dominant at a position of need, easy selection.

James Conner is as pedestrian as they come as far as starting running backs are concerned. Kyler Murray could really benefit from a big upgrade in the backfield.

Bijan Robinson is going to be another running back chosen early in the draft. All of his attributes are at sky-high levels.

Carter is the ideal replacement for the retiring J.J. Watt. He's a long, hyper-athletic interior rusher who disruptive on three downs.

One year after its record-setting draft output, Georgia boasts another potential No. 1 pick to follow in Travon Walker's footsteps. Carter was arguably the most dominant defender in college football last season when he routinely overpowered offensive linemen when not knifing past them. If he ends up available here, the Cardinals should count themselves lucky to find a disruptive force to pair with breakout defensive end Zach Allen.

The Arizona Cardinals need help everywhere besides quarterback after making a hefty investment in Kyler Murray prior to the 2022 campaign.

Because of a deteriorating roster, the Cardinals can go in a myriad of directions. However, the defensive line is particularly strong near the top of the draft, and J.J. Watt's retirement only made the setup more urgent.

"With Watt's now retirement now official after Week 18 action, the Cardinals get their immediate replacement in Georgia's Jalen Carter," Holder said. "Like Watt, Carter can play up and down the line of scrimmage.

"The unanimous All-American is very good against the run and as an interior pass-rusher. Arizona typically likes to draft the best player available over a team need, but it satisfies both requirements with this selection."

Surely, Watt's presence will be missed, even the version of him that played in the desert. However, Carter showed throughout his time at Georgia that he can be a game-wrecker. He presents quickness, relentlessness and rare movement skills for a 300-pound defensive lineman. Those traits made him arguably the best player on the field when the Bulldogs won the national championship in 2022.

Another talented defensive lineman adds to the rotation of Zach Allen, Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders. The group will be loaded with potential and possibly provide the Cardinals with an identity after they emerge from the post-Watt (and possibly Kliff Kingsbury) world.

With a new general manager and head coach coming soon, the new regime picks a player with the ability to be a game wrecker up front for the Cardinals. A consensus All-American, the junior has seven tackles for a loss and three sacks through 12 games.

Anderson has been a dog ever since his freshman year. He put up 207 pressures in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Athletically, he's in a similar tier with the Von Millers and Khalil Macks of football. It's all there. The Cardinals have so many needs at this point that selecting the top player on the board is the way to go.